Astra Farrera

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Astra Farrera (lat. Aster farreri) - flowering decorative culture; a representative of the genus Astra, belonging to the Asteraceae family, or Astrovye. The homeland of the species in question is China, or rather its western regions. In the same place, aster Farrera grows in natural conditions, it is often found in the mountains of Tibet. In culture, the species is cultivated infrequently, although the plant has high decorative properties, and is ideal for decorating rocky gardens, including rockeries and rock gardens.

Characteristics of culture

Astra Farrera is a perennial herbaceous low-growing plant with a height of no more than 50 cm (sometimes 60 cm), which forms dense and dense tufts in the process of growth, resembling rounded pads. Aster Farrer has a large number of stems, they are simple, low-leafed, straight, have vegetative whole lanceolate leaves, collected four pieces in rosettes, and stem sharp oblong leaves, not exceeding 4-5 cm in length. Foliage of a dark green color, pubescent short hairs.

Inflorescences are presented in the form of small, but numerous baskets, reaching a diameter of 4-8 cm. Inflorescences are located singly, formed at the top of the stem. The inflorescences consist of tubular orange or golden small flowers and ligulate narrowed lilac or purple flowers. The inflorescences are equipped with a hemispherical wrapper, the leaves of which are arranged in 2-3 rows. Aster Farrera blooms in early summer until late August - early September. Long-lasting flowering, active, of course, with good maintenance and optimal growing conditions.

Astra Farrera is not a whimsical crop, but for successful cultivation and abundant flowering, it requires sunny and warm areas with drained, moist, loose soils with a neutral pH reaction. Strongly acidic, dry, waterlogged, swampy soils for growing the species in question are not suitable, the culture feels bad on them, is often affected by diseases and pests, sometimes dies, often does not bloom.

Astra Farrera has high frost-resistant properties, it can withstand frosts down to -30C. Suitable for cultivation in Central Russia, in severe and snowless winters it needs a good shelter, which can be fallen dry foliage. Astra Farrera is an excellent material for landscaping garden plots, it is ideal for decorating mixborders, borders, garden paths, ridges and other flower beds. It is appropriate both in a single version and in alliance with dwarf cultures.

Care features

Despite the fact that Astra Farrera is an unpretentious crop, it is required in quality care. In general, the species under consideration is drought-resistant, but untimely watering is threatened with smaller inflorescences and their number. Plants should be watered regularly using warm, settled water. Two waterings a week is enough, but if there is a prolonged heat, watering is carried out more often.

Aster will not be able to boast of abundant flowering even in the absence of fertilizing. It is recommended to carry out 2-3 additional dressings per season. When planting seedlings, three additional dressings are required. The first is carried out immediately when planting seedlings in the ground, the second 14-15 days after planting, the third - during the formation of buds. The third feeding excludes the use of nitrogen, only phosphorus and potash fertilizers.

Lack of nutrition can affect the condition of the plants, the foliage turns yellow, and the inflorescences quickly fade. Organics are required for long-term cultivation in one place. Mulching is encouraged. It is advisable to transplant a plant at least once every 4-5 years. Thinning is not prohibited. Weeding and loosening is also necessary. The first procedure is not required for the growth of sod, the plants suppress the growth of weeds. Sowing is carried out in open ground or through seedlings. Sowing before winter is possible.